[PerConPat]

I am surprised that you didn't mention the US Atomic Weapons testing fiasco of fifty or so years ago.

Well, all nations have occasional problems in the science and technology realms, eh? I must have touched a nerve by casting aspersions onto Russia's well-known penchant for excellence.

[x5452]

We spent millions to NOT hit mars, and we still don't have regular shuttles going up (mostly because we catter to environmentalists who won't let us use the proven technologies we used in the old shuttles).

I'll start listining to Nasa again when Bush's plan to send another group to the moon is accomplished.